1963 – Difficulty In The Psychopharmacological Approach Of Fronto-temporal Dementia- Case Report

Abstract

Introduction

The clinical syndromes related to fronto-temporal lobar degeneration are the second most common cause of pre-senile primary dementia. There are three distinct clinical variants: behavioral-variant fronto-temporal dementia (BvFTD), semantic dementia and progressive non-fluent aphasia. BvFTD is characterized by a significant change in the patients personality and social behavior, and impaired executive function.

Objectives

Review the current literature on both the pharmacologic and nonphar- macologic management of fronto-temporal dementia.

Aims

Brief literature review.

Methods

Case report and literature review.

Results

We describe case of a 65-years-old male with hyperactivity, desinhibition, aggressive, stereotyped and persevering behaviors with continuous walking and changes in eating habits (hyperphagia). He also presented distractibility, poor speech with loss of spontaneity, an indifferent attitude, mental rigidity, inflexibility, and lack of insight for his condition. This condition developed within one year, with a change in his personality and the appearance of an inadequate social conduct, with an insidious onset and gradual progression. He has family history of dementia. Computerized Tomography scan shows lobar fronto-temporal atrophy. During hospitalization no drugs has had effect, apart from paroxetine (partial response).

Conclusion

Concerning therapy, several drugs were used without proved effect in controlling the symptoms, highlighting the difficulty in the psychopharmacological approach of this disorder. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have shown some effect on behavior.